Columbus Makes Bold Move Towards Gigabit City Broadband

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Guided by the vision of Mayor Michael B. Coleman, the city of Columbus will enhance availability of community broadband services through an innovative approach to public-private partnership. Recently, the Columbus City Council unanimously approved a plan laid out by City CIO, Gary Cavin that will optimize how city-owned infrastructure and properties can be used to support better broadband services citywide.

Columbus has contracted with broadband industry leader Connected Nation Exchange (CNX), which provides the software technology and services that enable cities and broadband companies to collaborate more effectively. CNX will develop a roadmap for how city-owned fiber can be made available to internet service providers, including wireless carriers, and other businesses who are interested in providing high bandwidth services throughout Columbus. Using its CNXchange Platform the company manages how and under what terms internet companies use city owned assets for network improvement. The result is an environment attractive for private sector investment as well as the creation of a revenue stream for the city that can help fund future investments in the city's fiber infrastructure.

"Broadband technology is a key driver of economic growth, safety, and innovation for our city and region. In Columbus, we are proud to have an incredible network of individuals who strive to keep this access a top priority. By advancing the availability of high-speed fixed and mobile broadband, we ensure a high level of efficiency across the many sectors of our community." said Mayor Coleman.

In partnership with CNX the City of Columbus will provide much needed Internet capacity services while private companies can develop the innovations that extend content and services to customers and constituents. The city envisions that more companies will be able to offer affordable services that will help address key technology needs for public safety, economic development, operational efficiency and digital inclusion.

"We have always worked to be a leader when it comes to using technology to better serve citizens," said Gary Cavin, Columbus CIO, "and this is another example of that deliberateness. We have invested in fiber optics for several years to enhance Public Safety and improve operational efficiency throughout the city. There is currently much ado about how to attract a single provider of gigabit service to a city – we believe this approach will open the door for multiple service providers and offerings not yet even imagined."

In each of the last three years, Columbus has been named as one of the top 7 intelligent communities by the Intelligent Community Forum, which recognizes the world's most intelligent communities annually. For 2015, Columbus is one of only three communities in the United States to make the short list of seven communities with the top community to be named in June.

"Columbus continues to lead the way for cities who seek to have a thriving technology economy," said Brian Mefford, CEO of CNX, Inc. "We are proud to partner with city leadership towards making Columbus 'the most connected city in the nation.' To succeed, a city must possess leadership, vision and determination to pursue new collaborative avenues. These are traits that run deep in Columbus."

Services to be provided to the City of Columbus by CNX include:

CNXchange broadband asset brokerage services

Broadband market analysis

Asset mapping and valuation

Broadband gap analysis

Fiber marketing and leasing services

Service Level Agreement management with ISPs

Small cell and Distributed Antenna System strategy

Services to advance Columbus' four tenants – enhance public safety, economic development, operational efficiency and digital inclusion. Provide billing and reporting for use of city assets for purpose of expanding broadband services

Connected Nation Exchange (CNX) accelerates community broadband by automating market analytics, asset management and property lease transactions through a proprietary software as a service platform. CNX helps cities and private property owners unlock the value of their properties that are useful for broadband network expansion, including buildings, rooftops, towers, utility poles, signage, water tanks, rights of way, and fiber optics.

As a spin-off of Connected Nation, CNX, levers its heritage and experiences in hundreds of communities across the U.S. to provide current state analysis of policies and strategies, best practice analysis and recommendations, asset management strategies and resources (including an industry-leading asset management platform), pricing strategies for public assets, and asset marketing and brokerage services as an intermediary trusted by cities and commercial carriers alike.